Breast Care During Pregnancy

One of the early signs of pregnancy is breast changes. After birth, the baby gets all its nutrients from the mother's breast milk for the first 6 months. That's why your body prepares the breast from the beginning of pregnancy. As a result, your breasts undergo various changes throughout pregnancy.

Many changes can be seen in the breast during pregnancy. But not all of them will change at the same time. So don't worry too much about these changes. Below are some of the most common breast changes.

Breast pain or pressure

One of the early symptoms of pregnancy is breast pain or pressure. This is due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and the growing ducts inside the breast. Such symptoms can appear from the fourth week of pregnancy. However, in many cases, breast pain may occur even a few days before the onset of menstruation. Therefore, many people may not even notice breast pain or pressure as a sign of pregnancy.

Breast pain during pregnancy can feel different to everyone. For example –

• Breast heaviness or pressure
• Throbbing or tingling sensation in the breast
• A dull ache all over the breast
• Sharp pain

The intensity of the pain can also vary from person to person. During this time, if you touch your breast with your hand, you may feel slight pain. In many cases, wearing a bra can cause severe pain. Mild or severe breast pain during the first trimester is normal.

Many couples avoid intercourse during pregnancy because of this tenderness or pain in the breast. However, if the type and intensity of breast pain is not a cause of discomfort for you, then there is no obstacle to continue intercourse during pregnancy.

There is no need to worry about breast pain and pressure if it does not interfere with your normal life. Read on for the right size bra that provides good breast support to reduce pain.

You can take paracetamol if necessary . It is an 'over the counter' medicine, bought from a pharmacy and is safe to consume according to the instructions that come with it. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this. Apart from this, if the type of pain seems unusual to you for any reason or if you are worried about it, see a doctor.

Change in nipples

Nipples tend to enlarge in size with time during pregnancy. Also the color is darker. Apart from this, breast pain is also felt especially in the nipples. As with other parts of the body, the blood circulation in the nipples increases due to the effects of pregnancy hormones. Therefore, the nipple may feel prickly or prickly.

The dark colored area around the nipple is called the areola. During pregnancy, you may notice small bumps or pimples on the areola. 

There is nothing to be alarmed if such rash appears. They are basically a glandular swelling around the nipple.

These glands secrete oil-like substances to keep the nipples dry and healthy So avoid crushing or crushing such pimples if they appear.

Breast enlargement

At the end of the first trimester of pregnancy or the beginning of the second trimester, you will notice a change in the shape of your breasts. After the baby is born, your breasts begin to accumulate fat in preparation for their nutritional needs. Also, the milk ducts inside the breast become widened. Overall, the breast size increases during pregnancy.

As the breast size increases, so does the cup size of the bra. By the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, your bra size can go up to a full cup size.

 

How to measure cup size of bra?

The part of the bra that covers the breast is the cup of the bra. To calculate the correct cup size for you, first measure the bottom of the breast with an inch tape. This is called under bust. Then place the tape along the largest or bulging part of the breast and measure again. This is called bast.

Now subtract the under bust size from the bust size and find out the difference between them.

the difference	cup size
1 inch	A
2 inches	B
3 inches	C
4 inches	D

                                     

If possible, be sure to try the bra in the store to see if it fits properly or not.

Nursing bras suitable for pregnancy or comfortable cotton bras without hooks may be more comfortable during pregnancy. If possible, use a special 'sleeping bra' while sleeping. Also, use a well-supported sports bra while exercising. These can help reduce pain while supporting growing breasts.

Not using the right bra size during pregnancy can cause discomfort. So choose the right size clothes and bra according to your breast size.

Itching in and around the nipples

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause itching in various parts of the body, including the breasts and nipples Apart from that, as the pregnancy progresses, the skin of the breast becomes taut as the breast size usually increases. This can lead to dry skin and itchy breasts and nipples.

Stretch marks can also appear on the nipples and the skin around them due to the tightening of the skin. Others may have skin conditions such as eczema that cause itchiness in and around the nipples.

Itching in or around the nipples is usually nothing to worry about. You can control this itching by following some home remedies-

• Even if your breasts or nipples are itchy, try not to scratch them Infections can occur due to skin injury from nail scratches. Also, irritation from skin injuries can aggravate itching.
• You can get comfort if you use loose clothes and cotton bra of right size.
• If the itching is severe, you can wrap a few pieces of ice in a thick cotton cloth and apply it on the nipples and nipples.
• Bathing with warm or tepid water can also reduce itching. But avoid showering with too hot water, as it can dehydrate the skin and dry it out.
• You can apply a good lotion, moisturizer, glycerin or olive oil to prevent the skin of the breast from becoming dry.

Note, if for any reason the type of itching seems unusual to you, or if the itching disrupts normal activities and sleep, then see a doctor. He or she may recommend creams, ointments, or oral medications that are safe for pregnancy, depending on your problem.

Discharge of milky fluid from the nipples

A milky, yellowish-white or golden-colored sticky fluid may be discharged from the nipples, usually towards the end of pregnancy. This fluid is colostrum or colostrum. Babies drink this milk as the first milk after birth. It provides the baby with various important nutrients it needs. Colostrum contains many antibodies, which protect the newborn baby from various pathogens.

Colostrum discharge during pregnancy is a normal phenomenon. There is nothing to worry about. This is just a signal of your body's preparation for the birth of the baby. However, if you are uncomfortable with the release of colostrum, or your clothes get wet, then you can use tissue paper or breast pads (available in stores under this name).

It is important to keep the breast dry and clean during this time. Because if the breast is always wet, there can be fungal lesions or fungal infection

If the colostrum is mixed with blood for some reason, it may appear pink or reddish in color. If you notice something like this, consult a doctor immediately. It can be a sign of a serious disease. 

Visibility of breast veins

During pregnancy, blood supply increases throughout your body, including your breasts. During this time, the level of various hormones in the body also increases. Under the influence of these, the veins of the breast become enlarged and visible. These then appear as purple or bluish lines on the breast. These lines disappear on their own after the baby is born. So it usually does not require any treatment.

Lumpy or lumpy feeling in breast

Some people may experience a lump or lump in their breast during pregnancy. This is nothing to worry about. Breast milk production usually starts from the second trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes the milk accumulates and a lump appears on the breast. However, if any such lump seems abnormal to you, you must go to the doctor and get a breast exam.

When to go to the doctor? 

If you notice any abnormal changes in the breast, you should see a doctor immediately. For example –

• Feeling of a hard lump or lump in the breast or armpit
• Swelling of any part of the breast
• Abnormal breast pain or burning
• Discharge of blood, pus or any unusual fluid from the nipple
• Inverted nipples
• Itching or redness of the breast skin
• A lump or hole in the skin of the breast
• Notice abnormal changes in breast shape.

Some changes in these symptoms may be normal. However, they can be a sign of a particular disease of the breast, or even breast cancer.  So it is better to see a doctor to diagnose the disease at the right time and start the right treatment. 

 

Thank You